Helsinki schools still lack textbooks despite extra funding

Helsinki’s comprehensive schools continue to face textbook shortages, with some pupils sharing books or working from copied exercises. Yle reports that the city has spent only 600,000 euros of the 1.5 million euros in extra funding allocated for printed learning materials this year.

Schools have for years reused limited supplies and bought only essential books, after Helsinki stepped up the digitalisation of teaching in the previous decade. The shortage means some classes do not have enough workbooks for every pupil, so exercises are copied into notebooks even though the books were not designed for that purpose.

The city’s education division said the remaining 900,000 euros would be spent by the end of the year. Helsinki’s director of basic education, Ville Raatikainen, said schools also make purchases or top up supplies during the autumn as pupil numbers change.

Timo Saavalainen, chair of the Helsinki Teachers’ Association, said schools’ difficult financial situation was slowing spending. Principals were cautious about exceeding their budgets, he said.

The shortage can place an added burden on pupils with learning difficulties, Saavalainen said. In some cases, pupils must copy missing words from workbook examples into their notebooks, then compare the notebook with the workbook when studying for tests. The practice also takes teaching time, he said.

At Kalasatama Comprehensive School, ninth-graders study social studies without printed textbooks, relying instead on digital material. Principal Kati Pennanen said the school’s leadership team had prioritised which subjects should have physical books within the budget. Pupils are expected to take notes in class and use digital texts when preparing for tests. Pennanen said it might still be possible to buy printed books this autumn.

Rising pupil numbers affect how far school budgets stretch in fast-growing neighbourhoods such as Kalasatama. The school, which has 657 pupils, has a book budget of 86,200 euros this year, including the extra allocation. That is about 26,000 euros more than last year.

Helsinki budgeted 6.5 million euros this year for printed learning materials in Finnish- and Swedish-language comprehensive education, including the additional 1.5 million euros. Of that extra funding, one million euros was specifically allocated for books and 500,000 euros was redirected from IT procurement. The money was distributed among the city’s comprehensive schools according to pupil numbers and earmarked for textbook purchases in 2025 and 2026.

Some books can cost up to 50 euros. At Kalasatama, shortages also affect other year groups and subjects. In ethics studies, pupils do not receive their first book until seventh grade; before then, teaching relies on assorted handouts that younger pupils can easily lose.